We Are Back!!

What a great week we had! It was perfect weather--WARM!

We went snorkeling, on two catamarans and PARASAILING!!! That was so fun! I was really scared but it was great! I actually got to go up twice!!!!

So now I am back to real life. I have a very messy house that smells like burnt plastic(easy mac in micro with no water-bad combo!) and a little boy with a gooby nose. He looks like he grew a foot while we were gone!

So, trying to get back to "normal" (whatever that means around here)

Outta Here!

We are on our way to the SUNNY SOUTH! I am excited to sit on a beach, have other people cook and clean for me and to just be with my sweetie!

Be back in a week or so!

The Tree

The tree.

Does this tree look like any of you feel? It actually looks a lot like me lately. This poor tree has been in my basement. Ignored. Neglected. No one has given it any attention for much too long. It has patiently waited for someone to care about it. It held on to it's leaves as long as it could. It then decided that maybe it could lose a few and it would help it. Well, it finally was ignored so much that it started losing lots and lots of leaves.

Yesterday I decided to bring the tree upstairs. I was going to decide if it was going to be able to be saved or if it would have to be thrown out.

Have any of you ever felt like this poor tree? Like you have been ignored, abused and left to fend for yourself?

Well, let's take a good look at this poor tree. It has been ignored and abused. Most of it's leaves are gone, the ones left are bedragled and barely holding on. You must look more closely. This poor tree is trying to repair itself! It is trying so hard to hold on and do what it was put here to do. Grow leaves!

As I brought the tree up I really looked at it to see if I thought it was "worth the effort". Well, that poor little tree with 2/3 of its leaves on the floor has new little tiny leaves trying oh so hard to bud from the dry, dry, dry branches.

Maybe this tree is a reminder to all of us. We need to remember why we were put here. What is our calling, our job, our reason? The tree has inside of it to grow leaves. We were put here to magnify our inner light. To help others find their light. It is deep inside all of us. We need to let it out.

So if any of you are feeling like my poor tree, withered and neglected, remember that we all have that light within us. It is just up to us to let that light out and find ways to help it grow. We can't hang out in the basement waiting for someone else to water us. We must do it by ourselves. No one else has the ability to change us, only we can do that. So get out of that dark basement, find something that waters your soul. Find something that will help you to let your little green leaves grow.

(watering the tree wouldn't be a bad idea either!)

Sunday-Peaceful? Still waiting!

Sunday, a day of peace. A day of worship, a day of feeling the Spirit.

Well, that is the goal of any Christian mother---does it always happen? Not at my house. I want to say that I failed miserably at my Saturday preparations. Well, I actually did average. I did get all clothes ready and children bathed. Packing the bags- no, getting up extra early, no(set alarm and layed there!). We did make it to church on time. However, we had a very tense teenager moment while at church. I won't bore you with details. Not a huge deal but a huge reaction. Mostly from me, probably more than necessary.

To say the least the Spirit was not strong for me or my child. I have no answers as how to touch or reach, I am at a loss. It is a lonely and scary place to be. I am sorry to all parents that have already raised children and to all who are going through it now. Mom, I am sorry that all your children were mean and ugly and that everything was your fault.

Sometimes don't you just want to go and take a long, long nap and wake up when they are pleasant and you are not stupid and the reason for every problem in their lives is not yours? I do. I also want someone to really tell me what to do instead of smurking because they have been there. I want someone to actually have some guidance, true wisdom that actually helps. The smurking just makes me realize that I am part of a club. A club that most have gone through. A club that we join involuntarily. I don't want to just be part of the club, I want to have some guidance to get us to the other end of the club.

Not the best Sunday at my house.

Saturday Is a Special Day

Saturday is a special day, it is the day we get ready for Sunday. We clean our house, and we shop at the store, So we won't have to work until Monday. We brush our clothes, and we shine our shoes, And we call it our get the work done day. Then we trim our nails, and we shampoo our hair, So we can be ready for Sunday!

Do any of you remember this song from when you were little? I do! I sure do wish that I was better at really preparing myself and my life for Sunday. We go to our church meetings early(9:00am) so there isn't a lot of time in the morning to get extra things done-it is difficult enough to get 5 bodies dressed and combed and in the car on time.

What are a few things that would help me prepare for a more peaceful Sunday?

1. Children bathed(most of them still like to take night time so--if I just remember it is great!)
2. Have church/diaper bag packed.(Books for baby, snacks, scriptures, paper, pencils, manuals etc) When I don't have this done(usually) I am rushing about and it makes us late.
3. Make sure everyone's church clothes are clean and ready---socks and shoes are a nightmare!
This is harder than it sounds. My angels are getting big enough to really do much for themselves and they balk at doing anything early!(wish me luck!)
4. Get myself up earlier than I think is necessary! This is SO hard for me. I struggle with mornings anyway so I just don't get up and moving like I need to.

Do any of you have anymore suggestions that would help me to have a peaceful Sunday? I can use all the help I can get. I am trying to go to my sweeties church after ours so it is a long day. The angels are really very good, so it works out mostly well.

I am going on a cruise next Saturday! So, this week I am not going to add any new habits for Smart Habit Saturday. I am going to try and get ready for our trip--and get my family ready. For those interested check back in--Lara, the Lazy Organizer is going to look at my pantry mess and give some suggestions. Who knows she may start hiring her services out!!! Here is a sample of my messy pantry! (Yes that is a pile of organizing bags from Lara-they are wonderful if you use them!)

HAPPY MAIL!

Do you remember when you were little and lots of letters came in the mail? I do! I remember being in college in Hawaii and going to the post office daily. We would wait with our friends to see who got a letter from home, who got one from a missionary(always the favorite) who got a care package. I was one of the lucky ones. My Mom and my future Mom in law wrote me lots of letters.The missionary--not so much(but I still have every one of them!) I also received care packages. I would receive coloring pictures from my little nieces. They would do leaf drawings, pictures of their family. They were very little. I still have those pieces of art that came in the mail. One time I was really missing the fall leaves so my smart Mom sent me a baggie full of dry leaves. It was the best smell in the world for a homesick girl.

Today snail mail is a thing of the past. Children today do not have the sheer joy of opening a little note from a friend. Email has taken over. Blogs and web pages have replaced handwritten notes.

However, Good Old Fashioned Snail Mail is still the best! I am lucky because occasionally my sweet Momma still sends a little note in the mail. Sometimes she even sends my angels a package.

Yesterday was a HAPPY MAIL day! My sweet niece, Brittany sent us a valentine. It was full of sweet nothings and had No words of any kind! This sweetie has been in a rough place in her life for a few years. She is just not sure of who she is or what she wants to do or should do. She is our little lost girl. She is in many a prayer. This little envelope of goodies from her brought tears to my eyes because it was so sweet, so Brittany. I hope that it is a good sign.

Think about someone you love and actually get out an envelope, a piece of paper and a stamp. It may be the very best $.39 you will ever spend. It could change a life!

Really Yummy Brownies!

If you haven't had enough treats for Valentine's Day here is a yummy recipe that is sure to please! Make it anytime, it is easy and wonderful! (the picture doesn't do it justice!)

Texas Sheet Cake (or-Really Really Yummy Brownies!)
Preheat oven to 375*

Brownies
2 Cups granulated sugar
2 Cups flour
½ tsp.salt

1 Cup butter or margarine(2 sticks)
1 Cup water
3 Tbsp. dark unsweetened cocoa

½ Cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. cayenne pepper (yes-really! It is good!)

In a large bowl combine sugar, flour and salt. Set aside.

In a small saucepan bring water, butter and cocoa to a boil, remove from heat.

Add liquid ingredients with dry ingredients. Blend well.

Mix sour cream, eggs, baking soda and cayenne pepper (mix well)
Add to the cake batter, blend well.

Grease and lightly flour large jelly roll pan.

Bake at 375* for 20-25 minutes—Do not overbake!

While brownies are baking make frosting to put on top while still hot.

Frosting
¼ Cup butter or margarine (1/2 stick)
1/3 Cup cocoa
2 Cups powdered sugar
¼ Cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla

In small saucepan, heat butter, milk and cocoa. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until free of lumps.

Spread frosting on warm/hot cake. (It is a glaze type frosting)
These are really yummy so be prepared to eat too many!

This is why we keep doing it!

Do you ever wander around your house picking up other peoples stuff, mopping the floor, doing dishes, laundry etc. etc. etc. and wonder why? Well, I listened to a song on Lisa Bearsons blog(she is the founder of Creating Keepsakes magazine) and it made me cry. This is why we keep doing it!



Click here to listen to song
Keeping Sheep
I have a little flock of sheep
And they are mine to tend and keep.
And I must guard them every day
For little lambs, when left alone,
Will lose their way.
So many voices say to me,
A sheep fold is no place to be.
Your time in there is dull and slow,
And lambs leave very little room
For you to grow.

Chorus:
So if I ever start to stray,
Deceived by thought of greener pastures,
Remind me, Lord, that keeping sheep
Will lead to happier ever-afters.
Will lead to happier ever-afters.


Oh, surety there will come a day
When all the lambs have left my side,
And I am free to roam about,
And go exploring other meadows,
Green and wide.

Yet something whispers in my heart
That when my sheep have left this pen
I'll long to stroke their little heads,
To draw them close to me
And have them young again.

Repeat Chorus

So while they still are in my care
I pray that I will clearly see
These little lambs within my fold
Are tender gifts the Master Shepherd
Has given me.

You can learn more about the CD here

This little gem is worth a lot!

Little Missy brought this little gem to me--am I a blessed Momma or what?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

give all your sweeties an extra hug and kiss!

4 1/2 miles!

I am getting stronger! I hope that it lasts!
Today I ran 4 1/2 miles! I am still slow but I did it and didn't die! I hope that I am not sore tomorrow!

Scary thoughts

Thought provoking---I read an entry today that caused me to really stop in my tracks. These blogs are open to anyone. Good and BAD. Is it a good idea to have pictures of my children available to any nut out there? I am considering this seriously.
I have also realized that this strange cyberworld can become addicting--and why? I have many many projects and ideas that could use my time. This seems to be another thing that takes too much time. Just a thought. I may not be back for awhile and I may remove what is already here.

Smart Habit Saturday!

Here it is almost time to think about how our goals are going. I have really struggled with my goal of writing my blessings down. I am not sure why that has proved so difficult, yet is has. So, I am going to keep my little notebook nearby and try to incorporate it. This may take many, many SHS to become a habit.
I have decided to revert back to some very very basic things. My bathrooms are disgusting! I used to be so good about swishing and swiping daily. I actually would make sure that I went to all the bathrooms(4) in my house sometime during the day so that they would all be cleaned. I am a true believer in the swish and swipe. Running the toilet brush around the bowl and wipeing the rim with a wipe or a piece of t.p. makes it so that the toilet is never really dirty. Lara has been working on her toilets for a few weeks now. So, I am going to take that on this week! Go to the Lazy Organizer for more Smart Habit Saturday ideas.

Letting go of Perfection!

Wow 100 posts! That is a lot of words!



I have been thinking about my last post-about not shrinking. Well, here goes.



I am a picture taker(I would write another word but creepy men do searches). I am not a professional. I love to take pictures. They are not always perfect. For a long time I have thought that I needed to get better and better before I would hang them on my walls. Well, I found a quote that made me think differently.



The answer is sacrifice. You have to give something up in order to get results that excite you and inspire the artist within. You must give up perfection! Perfectionism only provokes fear and fear is what holds us back in pretty much every area of our lives. I love the way Joe Buissink puts it when he says "There is no such thing as a perfect image, only a perfect moment". He is so right. If we allow our creativity to be tied up by the "rules" of photography, we'll find ourselves bored; creating those mediocre images that look just like everyone else's. Tara Whitney



So, I printed out a few of my less than PERFECT pictures. I even put one that isn't in sharp focus but yells of my angel baby's personality into a large frame.



Guess what? It made me happy!

Never Shrinking

During this crazy week of mine I am trying to find things to eliminate to reduce stress. It is difficult to do, however, I am getting better at saying no. Do any of you have problems saying no? Do you want to please everyone? I was reading today and came across a quote that I have had on my fridge for months. It made me look at it again. It is rather profound. You may need to read it a few times over a few days to really understand it.


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that frightens us.

We ask ourselves “who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?”
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson


I showed this to my friend Lara and she asked if I really believed this. She said that she feels that we are all insecure and don't feel good about ourselves. I agree with her. However, I think that life may actually cause us to have those insecurities. We all get so hung up on fitting in that we forget who we are. We allow other people to be our voices. I really wish that I had an answer that would help us be able to raise our children so that they wouldn't have to go through the rediscovery of self. I don't know how. I have a child in middle school. It is a difficult age. She wants to belong so much that she may be willing to perhaps do things that she doesn't really believe in. She is just so fragile that she doesn't know which way, so whomever is loudest she might follow. People will give you the line "teach them the correct ways and principles and they will make the right choices." I do not always believe that. I believe that this world is difficult and sometimes we make bad choices even when we have been taught better.

I hope that I can teach my children that they are Children of God. That they have a special purpose on this earth that only they can accomplish. I hope that they will grow and develop and know that they are loved, even if they choose poorly. I also hope that I teach them that I will love them even if I don't like their choices. I think that for young people that is a hard concept to grasp. How can someone love me if I have done something wrong? Because you are my child. Think about this from our Heavenly Father's perspective. He loves us despite our failings. We are His children. He is disappointed and saddened by our choices but He loves us still. He also provided a way for us to repent and change and come back into His light. His light radiates from anyone who has it. It shows in their countenance. It is that sparkle in someones eyes. It is what draws us to certain people.

I am going to really try and focus on not shrinking. We all have gifts to give. It may be making someone else laugh. It may be a simple note in the mail. We all have a special gift that we need to use. We are all CHILDREN OF GOD. He has a grand plan for us. I hope that I can have His light in my countenance.

Monday already!

Well, here it is Monday again. I actually like Monday but sometimes I seem to need a rest from the weekend! Today has felt like one of those days! My family went skiing on Friday night and all day and night Saturday. Sunday I attended church from 9-3:30. I just can't quite get the energy to have my Monday be as productive as I would like!
Perhaps it isn't only the weekend. I was looking at my planner and realized just how busy my week is. It is one of those weeks that I have something going on every single day-more than normal. I have something every single morning when I usually go to the gym. That I do not like! How am I ever going to get faster if I can't actually get there?
How do you stay focused when you are so busy? I know that we all create some of our schedule problems. I also realize that sometimes we are busier than others. So, my question is how to we stay focused on our family, our faith, when we are so busy that the messes just have to wait?

I have been thinking about my Smart Habit Saturday post--since it is Monday. I really had an emotional week last week. I did not really incorporate writing down my blessings. So I am beginning again! I do want to report (to who I am not sure) that my counter habit is getting better! Mom, you would be so proud of me!
If you want some entertaining reading follow the link Smart Habit Saturday for some more great habits.

Slow, slow, slow!

Ever have one of those moments that you really feel stupid? Well, today I had one of those moments that I just felt SLOW. As the three of you who read regularly know, I have been trying to run. I am getting stronger. I can do 2 miles without misery, some days I can even do 3 miles. I thought I was doing so well. Then I noticed him. An older gentleman. He speed walks, runs, walks. I noticed that his speed walking is almost the speed of my running. That is embarassing! Well, today, he was coming in the same time as I was so we started talking. HE IS 80 years OLD! An 80 year old man can walk almost as fast as I can run, and when he is actually running he is faster than me. I decided that I better ask a few more questions. Yes, he has been a runner his whole life. He was a sprinter at Utah State. That made me feel a tad better, but he is 80 years old, more than twice my age. Okay, I am going to go and feel sorry for my slow self!

Answered Prayers

This quote came from this month's visiting teaching message(women visiting women). I was very touched by it. My dear friend and I have had a conversation this week about this very subject. Do we listen when we are prompted to stop and visit a friend? When a old friend comes to mind do we ignore it to later find out that something significant was going on in their lives. I am trying to be more aware of my little feelings I have about other people. Trying to know when to share or when to drop a note. In this modern day there isn't anything much more thrilling than getting a note the old fashioned way! Hand written also!!
So, I make a challenge to myself and anyone else who would like--look for opportunities to help and do something. Something as small as a note, taking someones mail in. Noticing a glance, let's pay attention.

Bonnie Parkin:
"The Lord has touched my spirit time and again, and more often than not, His touch has reached me through the hand of a friend. . . . Perhaps [we] would feel more of His love if [we] looked for His hand in the actions of those who care for [us]. . . . God knows the needs of His children, and He often works through us, prompting us to help one another. When we act on such promptings, we tread on holy ground, for we are allowed the opportunity to serve as an agent of God in answering a prayer"

Sunday Blessings

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. Well, that is unless your husband is the Bishop of a Young Single Adult ward(18-30yrs old, LDS church congregation)! My little ones are young enough that they need to go to our own ward so that is three hours in the morning. I then drop the kids off(thank goodness some of them are a bit bigger!) and drive to Ogden and go to three more hours of meetings.
It sounds awful but really except that it is 6 hours it is actually really wonderful. Today a young man spoke and I just kept thinking about how his countenance radiated the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is just a really great guy and his spirit was so strong. I just want to find some cute gal that realizes how strong and valiant this young man is!

I am going to go and write down my blessings- I will share one. The closing hymn was Families are Forever. The couselors left the stand to go to the doors, the first counselor looked at his wife while we were singing the song and I could just feel the love that these two have for each other and for their family. I looked at his wife and she was crying because she felt it also! I was honored to have witnessed such a loving moment. (married 30+, 6 children, grandchildren). A blessing indeed!

New Habit-Blessings

It is Saturday again. Tomorrow is Sunday and we get to start anew! My friend Lara has been doing a thing called Smart Habit Saturday for a few weeks. I am not very good at really getting a new goal going but I am trying!
The first week I decided to keep my counter clean---well, that is much harder for me than I like to admit. I have done alright. There have been nights that I have gone to bed with it dirty. I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen. I am struggling with this. It will continue to be a habit that I work on.
I have been working on just keeping up-well, I have decided that that is a lifetime goal. Do any of you feel like you are caught up? I am trying to come to grips with the fact that caught up only happens at death. Life is for living so there will always be dishes, laundry and messes. I am going to try and embrace my imperfect life and try to find the tiny blessings that I fear I am overlooking. So my SHS goal for this week is to find hidden blessings in my everyday life, I am going to try and write down at least five blessings everyday.

Wish me luck!!

Ice Fishing 101

Ice Fishing 101

Go early-like 6:30 am early. Why? because it is super super cold and you won't relize you are frozen because your brain still thinks you are asleep!

Ok, I really have no other lessons for ice fishing. We went with Dave's ward this morning. It is the strangest sport in the world! Why do grown men like to sit on a bucket in the middle of a frozen lake, cut a hole with a very expensive ice cutter(ogger) and then stick their fishing pole in the ice, wait 10 seconds and have to scoop the slush out of the hole. They sit and do this for hours. Why? I do not understand!

Now, I understand the point of our activity! We are trying to get these young people to mingle with each other so that they will find someone to date!!! I really understand that, as did the 11 kids that were there! However, how do we get the other 185 ward members to realize that the event is not the point! We could be sitting on a bench wittling and the point would be the same! Come, there might be a guy or a girl that you might be interested in. You might be able to become friends! THAT IS THE POINT TO THESE ACTIVITIES!!

I have been informed that blogger was having issues so noone could post comments. Not that there are so many of you who do but you could try again!

Sick little pumpkin

My little Missy is sick today. She woke up in the night with a fever and screaming that her finger hurt! She actually cut it quite badly Sunday so I was worried that perhaps she had staph or something! She is resting comfortably and the finger hasn't fallen off.
It is so interesting when a change in my normal schedule happens that it seems to throw everything off a bit.

I am becoming more aware every day that I really don't have anything profound to say. My life is a normal wave of activity, dirty dishes, laundry, driving, schedules. Let's celebrate our ordinary lives. What do you do that is just so ordinary but it matters to someone else?
*I put all important dates into Dave's calendar
*I put all important dates into My calendar
*I paid lunch money
*I emailed my elderly Uncles
*I took one late girl to school
*I signed permission slips
*I changed little man's diapee! (ordinary but necessary)
*I poured many a glass of milk

All of these things are basically just normal, ordinary things that will never make it into any published magazine, however, they matter to my little family.

What if?

Do you ever wonder what you would be doing if you weren't doing what you are doing? Have you ever wondered what your life would have been like if you had married that one guy? Or what about that other guy? What if you had gone to college in a different state? If your parent hadn't died?
Ok, am I the only one out there who sometimes wonders what if? This sounds strange but I really don't think these things very often. I feel that I am so lucky to have found the man of my dreams. I am lucky that he knew immediately that he wanted to marry me. Four years later we did get married! I have never questioned that I made the right choice. However, sometimes I get that really sick feeling, what if I had married that other guy? Where would my life be? Would I have children? Would we still be married---it is a strange thing to think about!

Ok, wierd post!

Perspective

I was reading Nitty.Gritty.com blog. She has had many trials in her young life. She made a statement that I have thought almost word for word many times.
"The perspective that guides/shapes my parenting is this- When you begin to see the day to day as a delight, rather than a drudgery... When serving my children is seen as a privilege rather than a chore... Knowing that my actions are, slowly and through repetition, shaping them for the rest of their lives... then it becomes a task of enormous and lasting consequence. It becomes a 'higher calling' and the reality sinks in that demanding my best, giving it my all, and expressing love in everything I do, is the least I can offer to those who mean the most to me."
Those are my sentiments exactly. Now to be able to do this. To look past the messes and be grateful that they are healthy enough to make them. To be grateful that I am able to have them. Grateful and blessed.

Germany!!! Here I come!

It is now Tuesday and I seem to have the same messes that I had on Thursday, Friday etc. etc. So, I won't bore you with that! It is freezing cold here. We haven't had the snow that some places have had. We need snow! Skiing is lousy because it is mostly ice!
Exciting news! I am going to Germany in April! My best friend Tina's Mom lives in Germany and we are going to stay with her! I am so excited. We are going to have so much fun!
If you have any suggestions let me know!

Blessings

Do you ever feel like you are running alongside a merry-go-round and everyone else seems to be on and all buckled up but you just can't seem to get your footing to jump on? That is how I am feeling! Not a new feeling but a feeling just the same!
I have been looking at the same messes for an entire week. I am trying to make progress, and some of it has been put away but it is still there!
How does one get to the point that we realize and truly understand that these things are blessings?

New Habit

What a cold weekend! Yes, I realize that it is now Tuesday, however, being gone for the weekend, through Monday-it messed my week up! Ok, what to start for a new goal? I haven't even mastered last weeks goal of cleaning my counter every single night. It is getting better, so I am going to continue that. I am also going to continue my running. I am trying to make it a part of my routine. The new habit I am really going to work on this week is to control the sugar in my diet. There is just so much sugar in everything. White bread, rice, cereal, treats. I really feel better when I control the amount of sugar. With the holidays I didn't watch too carefully. I have finally gotten to where I don't crave bread type products, so that is a huge step. My friend Larahttp://www.laragallagher.com/blog/ has been cutting sugar for awhilenow, perhaps I will get some tips from her.

Moments to treasure

Last night was no different than most nights around my house. Homework, dishes, more dishes, piano practice. Bedtimes that are slow.

This is what I walked in on, and didn't mind so much that they weren't in their beds!

Junk Collector

January--it is typically the month that we make resolutions. Often they consist of losing weight and getting organized. Well, I am no different. After the beautiful messes of Christmas are put away snug in the beds it is time to look at our other messes that seem to have mutated and multiplied over the holidays. Am I alone in this nightmare?

Do you have a place (or two or four) that are just hotspots for stuff? Perhaps a chair by the door, your counter? Well, I have numerous but one that makes me crazy is my utility room. I use the term ROOM loosely. My utility "walkway" is the most poorly designed room ever! I didn't know it when we built the house-I was naive! It is directly hooked to the garage and the kitchen, sounds great except that you have to go through it to get to the garage or kitchen. It isn't a room of its own. So, it is a dumping ground.

This is a picture of what I think the top of a dryer should look like.

This is the picture of all the stuff that was on top of the dryer.(I should have taken a picture first, I am learning)

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep a surface from becoming a catchall?

*I did get my counter cleaned off again! Numerous times actually. It is another family hotspot!

Are you Sweaty?

Just a strange bit of information. Are any of you out there excessive sweaters? Okay, I know that is not something that any of us like to talk about. I am! I have been since I was a teenager. It has nothing to do with being hot. I did some research on it and it actually has a name. Hyperhydrosis. Now don't you feel better knowing that it isn't just you. It is actually a documented problem?

Well, I was listening to the radio and heard about a product that you can buy at your pharmacy or sometimes in places like Walmart or Target. If it isn't in the normal deodorant section ask the pharmacist, sometimes it is behind the counter. It is not a prescription however.

It is call Certain. It has made a huge difference in my life. Those of you that are not sweaters just stop reading. Those that are you understand. Everyday you have to look at your clothes and decide if the sweat will show. If you are going to be in a situation that you know it will be worse,(nerves are the main cause) you have to think about a jacket or a color. You have to change your clothes. It really does control much of your life.

Try this stuff! You put it on at night. It is not an antipersperant in the normal sense. It is more of a medication. It actually shrinks the overactive sweat pores. I noticed a change the very next day. Not solved but better. 4 weeks later and it is amazing! I am starting to not worry about my problem!

Okay, a weird post but I just thought I would share--I have bought a bottle for my brother. He understands the nightmare!

Just for information-hyperhydrosis can affect people in different places, not just the armpits. People that have really sweaty palms, foreheads, even crotch area are also suffering from this problem. This antipersperant is only for armpits. There are other products available online that work the same way that are designed for these other areas.

A clean counter

A clean counter. Is that too much to ask? I am trying to decide a habit that I want to work on. I have more than enough for the rest of my life, so many that I can't decide where to begin.

Kitchen counter--is yours always covered? Mine is! I am going to try and have it completely cleaned off before I go to bed. I hate waking up to yesterdays dishes and messes. It makes me feel like I am already behind and the day has just started!

Why is my counter always messy? Well, it is the center, the hub, grand central station! It is where many meals are eaten, homework done, mail dropped, everything is dropped(what doesn't hit the floor). I am going to try and look at my counter as a BLESSING. Why a blessing? We have food to eat, children to eat the food, children that are healthy enough to do homework, we are blessed to have a reason to have a messy counter! Ok, please help me remember my blessings when I start complaining again about my messy counter!

I will take a picture, sometime!

(edited-I took the pictures!)

Still thinking!

My friend Lara has been encouraging us to start some new habits. The truth is I just don't want to! I feel like I am swimming in a sea of crazyness and I don't even know where to begin!

I did actually get up and make my kids a healthy breakfast and then go to the gym. I almost talked myself out of it. Then I went one step further and took my stuff to shower and get ready before I came home. If I wait and do it at home it takes me HOURS to actually get back to showering. I feel like I wasted my entire day, even if I have been busy.

While at the gym I forced myself to run 3 entire miles! I was ready to stop at 1/2 so I feel pretty good about that. I just want to get where it is easier. Does that happen?

I have decided that basically I am a really lazy person. I do not like to push myself. Comfortable is fine. Well, I just don't think that we really grow and change if we don't push ourselves out of our comfort zone, whatever that zone is. Status quo---that is not a growing place to be.

So, my new habit has to be something involving pushing myself to do things that I would normally do but just enough, not the extra that I am capable of.

What should my new habit be?

Habits? Should I commit to some good ones? It makes sense but I can't seem to make sense. My blogging has been quite challenged lately. I hope that I will get back into business. If you have any suggestions about motivating oneself let me know!

Welcome 2007

2007! Wow! It is strange to say, it sounds so futuristic. I sent my babies back to school today and the little baby is still sleeping. Not sure if he is just worn out from all the playing or if he is under the weather. I chose to let him sleep.

We need to get back into a routine. I love having time off with the kids, they need it. However, our routine gets shot to pieces. I am not that great at routines anyway so to have none starts to wear on me.

What does a New Year mean to you? I like the feeling that we get to have a new slate. We can start again with things we want to try, things we want to improve upon. I have never been one to sit down and make a list of resolutions. However, I do think that it is good to think of things that i would like to work on. Goals are so powerful, most of us do not use them to their advantage. If we are working towards a positive goal we are improving. Isn't that the point of this life? Improving daily. I had an interview once with a wise man, I was struggling with my role of mother. He told me that we keep going. We try to be better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today. We keep trying. Isn't that what is so exciting about a New Year? WE get license to really think about what we are going to work on.

I am trying to really think about some goals that I want to work on. I know that the same ones are always there. Work on my spirituality, read my scriptures more, be more patient. These are standard goals. However, I know that to truly make much of a difference I have to actually set a program to establish those goals. How am I going to meet these goals?

I also want to continue my exercise program. I actually ran 3 miles last Saturday! I didn't even die! I want to be able to run a 3K and then move on. I am not sure why I have decided that I want to run. I don't think that I really love it yet--just going with it. I do feel like it was the change that I needed in my exercise program. Anyone want to run with me? My sweet hubby bought me an ipod so now I can listen to music and also conference talks. A rolled her eyes when I told her I had almost 8 hours of talks on my player! Now to get those shoes on and get moving!

What are your goals for this 2007?

What a Merry Christmas We Had!

Wow, the big day came and went. It was wonderful and chaotic. The children were so overjoyed with their treasures. We had few unhappy moments, no fighting for two entire days(a Christmas miracle) and lots of good food and fun.

The biggest blessing of all? Being with my wonderful husband and beautiful children celebrating our Saviors birth. Warm, safe and connected. What more could I ask for? A Christmas blessing indeed.

Trying to focus

Do you ever just wonder where the time goes? We have been running in overdrive for a few weeks. I feel like I am six weeks behind! Can you believe that Christmas is only a few days away? Unfortunately for me, I still have much to do. I am so behind at home that I stayed home from the gym yesterday to do laundry and just put things away. It is amazing that my house still looks so messy after spending nine hours working in it. I am hoping that I can make a difference today and get to town to do some last minute stuff. I need to make a list-I have avoided it because it is too big!
I am trying to think of this as a blessing, I have the means to get the things on a list. I have people on a list. We are blessed. I will try and remember that as I am vacumming and picking up the same messes over and over again!

Merry Christmas!-let's remember the reason!

The Terrible Family Picture Day!

The words that bring fear into grown men and children alike. FAMILY PICTURES!
We attempted to have pictures this past Sunday. We were all dressed for church and Grandma was here to take the pictures. It sounds perfect. It wasn't. We went outside, it was bright so we were squinty, we came in and the old family picture was behind our heads. We went to sit down and all Hell broke loose. Mr. M started whining about sitting up, being stubborn, then baby was through. Finally Momma lost it. I went out of the room crying, Grandma then started in on them about their bad attitudes and how bad they have been treating me. Poor Husband, trying to feel the Spirit and watching Satan walk around his house. Mr. M mouthed off just too far, Husband lost it too. The two big kids went into hiding. Husband left, Mother threatened the kids. We went to church in silence--not the way to go to church on a very special day.

I tell you, that the family pictures were not the reason for this terrible scene. It was Satan. He didn't want to let Dave and our family feel the Spirit. Perhaps keeping Dave from being sustained as Bishop. It was strong and it was real. I have heard other people tell of these stories. I haven't really had one so strong before. It was horrible. However, it made me realize how much Satan is trying to stop the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He doesn't want it spread. He doesn't want people to know the truth and to teach other people. Satan will use anyone and anything he can to stop the work. He tried with us. He had us for a moment but he didn't win.
We have to remain strong and keep on keeping on. We have the light within us, we need to let it shine so that other people can feel the light.

What a weekend.

Bishop Carrigan!
My sweet hubby was made a Bishop in our church(LDS) on Sunday. It is in a University Stake so it is a single's ward. All the ward members are between 18-30. There are about 200 of them!
I know that he will do super. I am not so sure about myself. I worry about my ability to take care of these four people that live with us! I just keep praying that we will have extra blessings that come from serving. I know that it is a good thing but it is also a big change, for all of us.

My kids have really been having some behavior issues lately and I think it is in direct relationship to this new calling. I believe that Satan doesn't want good things to happen so he will attack people any way that he can. I believe that he has been working on our children. Particularly Mr. M man. He has always been so mild and respectful. I pray that this will improve.

Please add us to your prayers, we need all the help we can get to help those in this new ward and to keep our family strong.

What a weekend.

Bishop Carrigan!
My sweet hubby was made a Bishop in our church(LDS) on Sunday. It is in a University Stake so it is a single's ward. All the ward members are between 18-30. There are about 200 of them!
I know that he will do super. I am not so sure about myself. I worry about my ability to take care of these four people that live with us! I just keep praying that we will have extra blessings that come from serving. I know that it is a good thing but it is also a big change, for all of us.

My kids have really been having some behavior issues lately and I think it is in direct relationship to this new calling. I believe that Satan doesn't want good things to happen so he will attack people any way that he can. I believe that he has been working on our children. Particularly Mr. M man. He has always been so mild and respectful. I pray that this will improve.

Please add us to your prayers, we need all the help we can get to help those in this new ward and to keep our family strong.

Time keeps on moving.

December 6th already! The month is flying by!
We went and cut down our tree on Saturday, it is HUGE tree that is still in our garage! We are going to hopefully get it in the house today. I am not too stressed about it but it is making Miss E nuts! She is so excited this year. I am glad that I still have one that is still in the magic!

I am headed to Idaho for a Collin Raye concert with my Mom tomorrow! That should be really fun. It will be a quick trip and then Mom will come back with me for a few days.

Thanksgiving update

Time flies!
It seems like an eternity, not that many are reading but those two who do are tired of my old post!

It has been a nutty two weeks! We went to Idaho for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful/awful time! It is always so much fun to go to my Momma's house. It is one of those houses that seems to just wrap its arms around you. I want to just sit in the chair and look at magazines by the fire. There is one really big problem with this, those four little people that think I AM THEIR MOMMA! They get rather bored, the two bigger ones are no longer able to entertain themselves with blocks, coloring, books etc. So, they watch t.v. for hours and hours which makes everything worse. After they have watched more t.v. than their brains can absorb they have to come up with other things to entertain themselves. Those things are usually things that just shouldn't even be talked about. The things that make nice Moms say really bad words. The ones that make nice Moms come close to child abuse. It is getting to the point that my children are almost not invited any more. I want to go by myself. They can eat cereal! I was so exhausted after returning that it took me an entire week to emotionally recover from their nasty fest.

Ok, now for the good parts! We had my Uncle come spend Thanksgiving day with us. He is in his seventy's and quite frail. He never married so has no children, etc. The family(my Dad's family) is not close at all so he is really really alone. When I invited him he was nervous about the weather, slipping etc. I just told him that we were coming and my husband would throw him over his shoulder if he had to! I think that he had a nice time. I know that it was nice to know that for at least a few hours he was part of a group, part of a family again. He has always struggled with relationships so I think it was probably a bit overwhelming but still good. I know that it was good for me and also good for my children. They didn't really have conversations with him but I hope that when they are older they will remember when we went and got their Great Uncle for Thanksgiving. Isn't that what this entire experience is all about? Helping and loving each other? We seem to forget and only worry about ourselves.

After a great day we hit the craziness on Friday morning! It was insane. I don't usually go, I don't like the nuts! It was alright, and we got a few things we wanted and nothing to stupid!

A busy holiday with lots of memories, good and bad! Hopefully, I will be able to focus on the positive and forget the negative!!!


Now lets start celebrating!!!!

Thanksgiving memories

Thanksgiving is almost here! Have you already started thinking about pies and turkey? We had our family dinner on Saturday and it was nice. The food was good and the company was also. We played games and visited.

What are some of your favorite holiday memories?

I remember going to my Grandparent's house in Driggs, Idaho. They would have the big table all spread out. Many times I got to sit right next to my grandpa. I remember thinking that I was the very favorite -later I realized that he was just like that, we all felt that way! I remember the first year that we stopped going to Driggs. It was a really hard change for us. We went to an Aunt's house and it just wasn't the same. We started doing it at our house after that and have been doing there ever since. My family always goes to Idaho for Thanksgiving. It is as much a tradition for our children as Driggs was for me. My little Miss E is counting the days to when we go to grandmas house.

This year we are having my Dad's brother come. He never married and lives alone. He is homebound. I had to bully him a bit to get him to say yes. I told him we would just throw him over Dave's shoulder and bring him. I hope that he has a good time. How lonely it would be to have no one to visit.

A Beautiful Lady

My Mom!

I am thankful for her in my life. As I do the zillionth load of laundry I remember that she averaged 35 loads a week, I am not there yet. As I make goulash I remember her making it(hers still tastes better!). As I pick up my daughters skirt from the floor I remember her saying that if you hang it up you can wear it again! As I really quickly wipe the bathroom I remember her saying "A lick and a promise". A lick is better than nothing!

My Mom is quite a lady. She went to college with four children while helping my Dad build a business. She taught school for 20 years and was a great teacher. She has had some terrible heartache in her life but she hasn't become a bitter person. She has gone to church alone for almost 20 years, many widows would have quit going. She accepts callings in church and does them well. She has been to 3 of my children's births and taken care of us after and many other times. She is willing to watch my herd while I have gone on trips. She is encouraging but doesn't give too much advice. She alway knows something special to get for someone, she is a great gift giver. She is a caring person. She helped my Aunt in her dying hours, she helps another sick friend, she fed her brother when he couldn't feed himself. She is willing to help, whatever that may be.

I am so proud of my Mom, she is a role model for me. I know that if she survived my brothers, my sister, my Dad and me that I will probably make it also!

Thanks Mom, I love you! 

I'm weird!

Strange things give me thrills! Today I decided that I am going to work in my studio. It has become less of a studio and more of a JUNK ROOM! Well, I started just getting rid of garbage, it is amazing how much actual garbage is strewn around in a room that is a disgusting mess. I decided that the pile of really old magazines had to go today! I was tempted to start looking through them-I did not! What a way to get sidetracked!!!

I took a HUGE pile out to the dumpster and threw them in! I considered calling a few friends to see if they would like to look at them, then I decided that noone else needed my clutter cluttering up their house! Amazing how thrilling that thud was!!

Off to more dejunking. My soul is in need of some calm so I have to get rid of some more chaos!

Bubble Time!

Little boy blue isn't afraid of the tub anymore! He even asked to get in this morning! Yeah!!!

Aren't bubble baths just the best thing? With a big big tub that makes lots and lots of bubbles who wouldn't want to get in?

My Yummy Guy!

I had the pleasure of going to the Temple with my sweet hubby. We had a very nice session, we hadn't been for awhile so it was nice to be somewhere so calm. Sweetie was quite emotional, he feels the Spirit so strongly sometimes.
After the session we had lunch in the cafeteria and then came home. My house was a wreck. I keep wondering when it isn't a wreck! Anyway, I put the kiddos to work(not happily). We are just not that great at really making them be responsible for things. That is something that is our fault. I have to make them do things now. Mr. M is constantly telling me, "I'll do it later" well, as we all know what that means is "I don't want to do it, I will tell you I will do it later and then you will leave me alone and I won't have to do it!" Well, I am tired of that! I know for myself that it is hard to always "JUST DO IT" but, it is quicker and it gets done!!!
Okay, enough of my Momma drag!

What am I thankful for today?

I am thankful that my sweetie is still my sweetie! We have been married for 161/2 years, with 4 dating and I still just want to eat him up most days! He is a calm figure for my raging storms. He is a constant. He has the gift of listening. People have come to him for years to talk. They tell him their troubles like he is a counselor. He is just a really great guy and I am just so glad that I get to share a life with him. He is a great Daddy also! What more could I ask for? Only more time with him.

Fun Little Books

Creating! It feels good!

I made the flower covered tablets the other day. The little one is my portable calendar. It had little dogs on it, it just screamed to be altered! The other is just a plain spiral notebook. I am still trying to learn what to do to cover the color on the edge--any ideas?

The cute little tag book was made today by the cub scouts. Isn't it darling? I think that there are more of these in my future. Think of all the possiblities with this idea. Alphabet books, mini albums, recipe albums, teacher albums.

I was in my studio and it felt good. The room is a nightmare. I am going to have to start 15 minutes at a time sorting, junking, organizing. I just have this urge and need to make things!

I hope that you are thankful for something beautiful today!

Best Friends

Today I am thankful for Best Friends! I got to spend the entire day with my best friend Tina. She and I met 8 1/2 years ago. We have each had two more children and moved far away from each other. We still talk almost everyday. Thank goodness for mobile to mobile minutes on our cell phones. It has improved our phone bills!

We usually go to cute little shops and spend way too much money on scrapbooking supplies and home decor. She actually decorates her house and I just add one more thing to my to do list!

I am so glad that we became friends. She enriches my life more than she will ever know. She makes me want to be a better Mom and person. She teaches me about kindness and tolerance. She puts up with me and loves me.

I am lucky she is my friend.

Thankful!

Thanksgiving is on it's way! So in a traditional way--what are you thankful for? I think that I am going to try and remember at least one think I am thankful for everyday!

I am grateful for my healthy body! Today I went to the gym and ran two miles! That is almost a miracle! I didn't die or need oxygen. Having the strength to exercise, play, take care of my babies, husband and home,these are all blessings. Often we take our health for granted, in fact, almost always.

Busy Day

What a busy day! We had no where to go! We stayed home and did this and that! I cleaned(what's new?) the kitchen, behind the fridge, really got the counters. Sweetie worked hard, he emptied the freezer, defrosted it and all! He went through the storage room that was full of junk, he put some electrical switched back on, he put the blow up Christmas decorations up and cleaned out both cars! He was a working machine!

There are days that it is nice to be home and have everyone milling around. Luckily for me, they weren't fighting(too much).

Ok, I finished reading "The Artists way" It is interesting. I believe that we as humans are creative. Most of us just don't realize it. We get stuck in the thinking that creative is for "real artists". We are all life artists. We decide how we decorate, what to wear, what to plant in the flower bed. We decide these things because they feel right, well, this is creative energy. I have been feeling creatively stiffled for many months. I am hoping that somehow I can find that creative energy. I am discovering that I stay busy with all the normal things in my life that keep me busy, I wonder if it is to avoid my possible creations. Am I not comfortable with it? Do I not think it is good enough? Good enough for who? So many questions!!!

So, this week I am going to try and notice the creative things in my life and actually give myself some time to explore!

Avid Readers Beware!

Remember when I said that I was interested in the book "The Artists Way"? Well, I went into Barnes and Noble bookstore and bought it!

Barnes and Noble---have you been there lately? I have only been in there 2 times in 13 years because I am mother and those are places that I do not take my children. It is too easy to become "That Crazy Lady". I was with only little guy(bad enough). This place is to a reader like a bar would be to an alcoholic! I just want to go and spend five hours just looking at all the possibilities!

I did get my one book. I have been reading it. It is very interesting! It is actually a process book. With assignments and such for 12 weeks. I am reading the entire thing and then plan to go back and actually try to do the course. If any of you feel that you could lead a more creative life or would like to encourage your children I recommend getting it. You might find it at the library to browse through, however, if you are going to really do the course I recommend purchasing it. I will keep you posted. I do know that I have been a busy bee around my house trying to get the mundane things caught up because I am very aware that when I have chaos in my house I have chaos in my soul. I am grumpier when there are big messes! So, I am on a quest! I hope that it works! Socks are folded(for a day) and that is almost in miracle zone!!! Downstairs bathroom is clean--13 yr olds just don't care about health issues-"it isn't that dirty Mom!"

If little boy would get over his cold I could get back to the gym. It is a must with all the Halloween candy around! I have done pretty well, I realize how long I must work for every little piece that goes in my mouth. Most of it just doesn't taste good enough!!!

Halloween cuties!

Halloween Gouls!
Aren't they darling? Big boy was out already so he isn't in the shot. I am going to have to have him put his getup back on so I can get a picture! Miss A fell and cut her upper lip so she was quite miserable, and then stayed home today because of embarassment.

Baby boy thought this trick or treating was great! He was so cute as a little bumble bee. He would walk up to the house, smile, and then take the candy, put it in the bucket and then walk into the house! Luckily, we went to neighbors who think he is too cute! Miss E was cute also, her cousins dropped out after they went to the church so it was just the 2 of them. They are still little enough that it was sweet.

Are you ready? Christmas is officially on its way! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and the snow and then the big holiday.

How are you going to stay sane and organized?

Budding Writer

Oh that they would want to be so helpful later on!
Miss E was so distraught that I had already poured the laundry soap that she wrote me a note to put on the washer to remind me. Anytime I am going to pour soap to ask if she wants to do it. Not while she is at school, of course!

For those of you who don't read well!
It says,

Let me do the washer soap, pour it Because
I want to do it! 

It's Coming!

Have you been to any store in America in the last week? Christmas is upon us. I say that with glee and with trepidation! I love the feeling of Christmas, the music, the lights. I love the idea of Peace on Earth. I love families getting together. However, as the Mom I have that dread. I am a worry wart. I am not a huge spender, even though hubby would disagree! Therefore, I worry about every little thing. Will they love it, will they use it for more than two minutes? Is it teaching them anything? Am I teaching them the true meaning of Christmas, do they understand more than the season of getting?

So in that thought, I decided that I must just plan better and stress less. So, I did one step today! I figure that I have 8 weeks--if I just plan and actually DO IT! I can actually not freak out myself, my husband or our bank account!

We have started to not give gifts as adults. It is a wonderful thing! That may seem trite, but I believe that often all the gift giving is given because it is expected instead of really wanting to. All of my siblings, and now hubby's have decided to not exchange, only the children! It has removed one more stress. If I find something I just want to make or give them, I will, but we don't HAVE to. I think that it is better. So, if you are in my family, and not one of my children or my Mom you will not be getting a present from me! I love you but how many Popcorn tins can you really eat and do you really want another singing fish to hang on your wall?

Halloween is tomorrow! I need to buy candy! I have put it off so that I don't eat it!!!!

Sleepless night

Ever have one of those nights? I took some cold medicine, daytime type and could not sleep! I decided that my body needed rest even if my brain couldn't turn off. I pray that I am never confined to my bed with a sick body and a (fairly) healthy mind. It would be torture. I have thought about stroke victims or some people with Cerebral Palsy, that are basically trapped inside their bodies. It would be a terrible place!

Have any of you heard of the book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron? I have been hearing about it for awhile and wondering if it would be worth buying to help tap some hidden creativity. I used to be a creative person and then I believe life got in the way. Dishes, laundry, driving, etc. I don't like it. I often feel like I am trapped inside myself, so I know that there is something that wants to come out. Hopefully, it is not the crazy woman that my 6 year old can bring out when she won't do what I ask!

Well, here is to a beautiful Sabbath.

COLD morning

It is a beautiful COLD morning. I have also awakened with the same cold baby has had. Drats-I am mother, I am not allowed to be sick. Hopefully, it won't be too bad!
I was walking behind little boy blue this morning after getting him out of his crib, looking at his soft blonde hair bouncing. I just have to touch it! He is still so little I just want to absorb his closeness to heaven.

The big kids and Dad are doing a ATV/Motorcycle test. It will be cold for them but they will do well. They were out of school yesterday and it was a really long day. Miss A just doesn't know what to do with herself when she doesn't have all her friends. She was online for awhile, which I am not thrilled with, so I locked the computer down. She was beside herself. I talked with her about finding a creative outlet. She said, "I am not creative", I told her that is so not true. She has gotten into the habit of not doing anything creative. Well, she did sit down and draw a picture, pretty good too.

I have been thinking that I need to find something that interests her creatively. perhaps get her some sketching pads and good charcoal pencils. I have also thought about taking her to a scrapbooking class or something. I would love that and we really need something that we can do together that she doesn't think I am old and dumb.

I read something the other day about a cute gal that felt she had her 4 year old girl all figured out, I sure hope so. I know that I do not have my 13yr old figured out! It is a difficult emotional time and I struggle to know how hard to hold on and what doesn't really matter. I know that there are some things that do really matter and others that don't so much. The question is to really know the difference.

I am trying to not stress and keep my faith in Heavenly Father. I know that he hears us and I need to ask for his help more.

Life is full of questions, isn't it?

Worry or Blessings

Are women hardwired to worry? I had a chat with a friend today about this. I think that I came to the conclusion that we are. It is our role as mothers to nurture but sometimes to nurture we have to worry about it for awhile before we know how and what to do. Men are different. They are compartmentalized. They can look at one aspect of a problem and decide if they can do anything about it, if they can't they move on. We as women have to look at the HUGE picture, we worry about 18 years from now instead of what we can do today!

So, how do we continue to nurture but not worry ourselves sick?

I am quite a spiritual person. I pray, I read, I go to church, I try and teach my children. I try and lead a fairly good life. I slip and occasionally let a cuss word out(not proud of that). However, what do we do to just look at the blessings in life and keep going?

So, in answer to my own question I am going to find a few blessings. I have done this before on this blog. I need to remind myself!

1. I am healthy
2. my children are healthy
3. we have a home
4. WE live in the country on a dead end street!
5. We have many dear friends. (Hi, Renae!-my lurker friend)
6. I have many beautiful views!

just a few for now! Lets try and find some blessings!

Scouts

Oh, my what a day! Yesterday was exhausting! I had bear cubscouts and we were making planet mobiles. That doesn't sound too hard! I ran to Walmart and got the dowels, posterboard and craft sticks.

I ran home and get baby to sleep(he has a cold, so no gym for a few days) and try to straighten up my mess I live in. I have washed laundry for 2 days but not folded it--bad thing to do! So, I picked up the mound of laundry and took it to my bed, another bad idea when bedtime comes!
I got the rest of the mess cleaned up. Why does it take me hours to pick up stuff that isn't mine that is dumped in much less time?

I made a sample mobile. It wasn't too hard, I knew I would have to help with the strings for a couple of boys. Well, they arrived and got to work. ONE out of 6 was able to do it by himself! It took much longer because of this and I was suppose to pick up the Weblos at 5:15 to take them to their meeting! Well, at 5:30 we finally pulled out of my house! Luckily, I called everyone so they knew they were coming! Once I dropped off all the scouts and came home I was exhausted!
I am a teacher by trade, you would think that I would know what age kids can do things. Perhaps I am just used to my own 10 year old, he is very mechanical. Things like this are easy to him. I know I will think hard about any project in the future or at least have 3 parents there to help! The mobiles did turn out great! I hope that the boys hang them up. Miss E took mine to school for show and tell.

It has snowed! That is good and that is bad. Good because we are closer to going skiing, bad because it is COLD, wet and dark! It is beautiful this morning with all the trees frosted and the ground all covered in white.

I have a friend who was knitting yesterday, I am jealous! I am getting very anxious to work with some of my photos. I just have this need to use some creative energy. It all gets sucked out by laundry!!

10 Wierd Things(you probably didn't want to know!)

1. I like to eat onion sandwiches! Bread, butter and onions, if I am really energetic add a slice of cheese! Bite anyone?
2. I went to college in Hawaii.
3. I met Harrison Ford in Driggs, Id and HE talked to me!
4. I am a closet neat freak! It is so deep in the closet that it hasn't surfaced for a long time!
5. I would have 8 babies! I loved being pregnant. I only have 4 because they don't stay babies long enough!
6. I was an FHA state officer in High School. How is that wierd you ask? Future Homemakers of America-I don't bake, am a lousy organizer and basically a messy homemaker. I like to say that it was more of a leadership organization. It taught me how to talk.
7. I would like to be a motivational speaker, I just don't have any idea about what I would motivate, I am working on everything!
8. I was out in the hall on the day talents were being passed out in heaven. I was talking! Therefore, I am a Jack of all trades, Master of none. I do lots of things, just none of them really well!
9. When we were first married we had 4 forks, so if they were in the sink to be washed and we needed one we would look at it and think--Eeh, it's clean enough! EWW!
10. I can clean really disgusting things, but don't bring snakes near me! I will scream like a sissy girl!

I hope you enjoyed this, it is one of those posts that share TOO MUCH INFORMATION!

10 weird things!!???

Ok, I have been tagged by my friend(I don't know how to link to her) and I am suppose to come up with 10 wierd things you might not know about me! I am in the process of this! I guess that I like to think of myself as normal!

More to come!!
If you have any ideas leave a comment!

My ramblings

I did make it to church and it was nice to feel the Spirit again. Perhaps other people can convey things better than I can myself. Little boy blue decided in SM that he needed his diaper changed, so he proceeded to totally strip down! I was trying to get the shirt back on, while he is taking the pants off. I finally realized what the reason was, he was wet and it had to come off! So, he got naked and I put a new diaper on and redressed him and he stayed dressed! Sometimes we just have to listen to the reason they are doing what they are doing! It was funny!

Miss A gave a talk and she did a wonderful job. She can be such a delight and a joy. I hope that this is a sign that she knows what she has been taught and that she will be able to remember it and use it! Dave came to hear her and it was nice to have him with us in church! It doesn't happen often.

We went to our friends big 50 party last night. It was so much fun to visit with friends from our old ward in Ogden. That was such a special place and time for us. We are all so close still, I think that because our ward was dwindling we had to be so strong and do everything. Therefore, we really created lifelong bonds. When we are with these people we feel like we have come home again.


Ok, totally different topic. We were watching a program on BBC America. It was about the biggest spenders. This man was a millionare. That is fine, my problem with him was that his entire purpose for making money was to be able to spend the most. He didn't have true friends, he bought them. a wife? no, he just had the money to have the beautiful women dance around him. He is one of the fortunate people that has been blessed with an ability to make lots and lots of money. He could bless many many lives with some of his riches. However, he is so wrapped up in himself that the only thing he lives for is to see how much he can spend. This program just sickened me. We didn't finish the program because it was so hollow.

Dave has been reading a book by John Huntsman, and in contrast to the show, here is a man that has made millions of dollars, almost lost it but had integrity so he wouldn't choose bancruptcy, now his business is even bigger and stronger than before. This is impressive but it is only a part of his story. He donates millions to cancer research, church projects around the world. He helps other religions, not just his own. He is a man that understands that there is more to life than just what he can buy. He can buy anything he wants, he chooses to give. Whos life would we rather learn about and perhaps emulate?

I am not really an activist type. I stay in my own little family and try the best I can to take care of them. However, I feel that we have been put on this earth to make it a better place, even if that means doing something for someone else. I know that when we do something for someone else, even something so small that it isn't heard around the world, it matters. After being so offended by this mans attitude it makes me want to be a more appreciative person. To look for ways to help others and to be less materialistic. To find ways to give service. Jesus gave us the ultimate sacrifice, I believe that we can all give a little in return.

Still alive

Struggling with how much is too much information. I will post more later! I think about it, but somehow it isn't happening. Perhaps the 4 kiddos might have something to do with it.

I am going to church today, I have been absent for 4 weeks so if feel inactive. Perhaps it will help me get a better perspective and be ready to really dig in again. You know, Family Home Evenings that really matter, more family prayer, scriptures. The whole thing. We need it around here.

Wish us luck!

A New Day!

Ok, after my whine fest I decided that I am in charge of my own disposition so I better snap out of it. So, today is going to be whine free!(at least on my part!) I will try and ignore the messes, and be glad that I have children to make them. I will be grateful for my busy children, grateful that they are healthy!

Blessing are all around us. Today, lets find them!

Whine Whine Whine!

How have mothers throughout time survived? I am emotionally and physically exhausted. Between worrying about the 13 yr old and then cleaning up after 6 people I am just wiped out. I try to not worry too much about the mess, it is evident if you come in! However, today I left the 13 yr old in charge of the 2 and 6 yr old for 1 hour while I did scouts. I left my house quite clean. I had had company in the morning. I came home to a fussy baby that needed changed, 2 six year olds spreading stuff high and deep, a very unhappy 10 yr old(mean 13 yr old) and where you ask was the 13 yr old who was in charge? In my bedroom on the phone! There was every possible thingdumped out. I am sorry, but I lost it a bit. Why is this normal? Why do all children make messes? Why?

Tired and cold. Mom, can I come and hide at your house for awhile? By myself?

Cold Weather

It is cold, dark and rainy. It makes me want to curl up in comfy pj's in front of the fire. It also makes me want to smell something yummy cooking, like apple pie or bread. Does this weather do this to you?

We went Halloween shopping last night. Miss E and the Dude got their costumes and you would think that it was already the big day! The girls have been playing dress up all afternoon. We now have three capes so that all three of the girls can have one. They have been a great investment in make believe! They have played with these capes for years.

Go and make something yummy. I wish that my Momma was here to make me some apple crisp, hers always tastes better than mine. Hers must be full of love!

Now for the digging out!

Now the yucky part! Cleaning up the mess from a muddy, dirty, wet weekend! We actually had a really great time. Thursday and Friday were beautiful! The weather was perfect, we layed out, went on the boat, went to the sandy beach and just enjoyed the days. Friday evening it started to rain and it downpoured! We thought that we were going to slide into the Lake! Luckily for us we didn't, however, we were trapped inside for an entire day! Sweetie kept telling us we were lucky we weren't in a tent. I said that if we had been we would have already packed up and left! However, we have now found out that we wouldn't have been able to go anywhere! There were flash floods all around. In the Vegas area there were 4 deaths! We saw one spot while we were leaving that had flooded and filled with mud, at least 5 feet deep across the road!

So, here is to cleaning up the yucky muddy mess! It is sticky clay. I think that we will be cleaning it forever.

Sweet Angel Boy is Two!!!

It is hard to believe that we have had this little angel with us for two entire years. He was a surprise baby that we are so blessed to have received! I think he has been a blessing for the entire family. I recommend everyone have a caboose baby!

This little guy loved his shopping cart so much that he had to sleep with it! He also loved his big yellow dump truck! Simple toys are the very best, they play with them, imagine with them, love them!

We are headed out again! WE are taking our pilgrimage to Lake Mead, NV. The kids are off of school for two days so we have some extra time. My Sweetie is so excited he can hardly stand it. We haven't been in Oct. for the last two years and it is the very best time to go! So, packing and lots to do! It is crazy how much garbage we eat while camping. I try to be reasonable with junk food most of the time, I hardly buy any. NOT CAMPING!

BonVoyage!

Hey, my two readers, if you want to go on the cruise in Feb. let me know and I can get some info from Ron to you.

Fabulous Weekend!

What a great weekend!!! We just didn't take many pictures but we had fun! We wandered up and down the beach between Pacific and Mission Beach! We watched the waves, the people, and the bikes! I LOVE beach cruiser bikes! There was this fabulous bike shop with all these custom paint jobs. I wanted to take one home with me, they would have shipped it!!! These bikes just made me happy to look at them!

We suntanned on the beach, ate breakfast at Kono's on the beach and just enjoyed being together! We could have used 3 more days of just laying on the beach, it was perfect! I am going to check out rental properites! Wouldn't that be a super vacation?!!! I think so!

Well, this will have to get us through until we go on another cruise together! It is so important to be with your hunny, but oh so hard to manage it!!!

Thanks Sweetie! It was fabulous!

Big Picture

In the big picture of life I wonder if Heavenly Father knew that if we were fully aware of how difficult parenting can be at times that many of us would have chosen not to participate. So, instead he had us begin as babies, which everyone loves! I am not saying that I wish I were not a mother, not at all. My children bring me so much joy, however, being a parent is hard sometimes. As a Mom I get tired of being the heavy all the time. I am the one that is there to make sure that piano, homework, chores, etc. are done. I am the one that tells the teenager no, alot. I sometimes wish that I could be a really fun, crazy, non-responsible Aunt that says, ok, whatever! And then goes and does her own thing! Then again, I know that as the Mom, that is not how you raise children! I have a cousin who's wife decided she didn't want to be the parent, she wanted to play. Well, who suffers? Her exhusband and 3 children.

So, in light of my plight, I am running away for the weekend with my sweet husband and leaving my darling children with the Grandma. I hope that she survives! Perhaps with a couple days away we will be reenergized and ready to keep on keeping on!!!

Baby parts

I am getting terribly excited about our trip!!! We are leaving tomorrow! Yeah!

I spent today at our organizing class, trying to learn, making a bit of progress. I then went to town and got pictures printed of baby Josh. His Momma is extra busy and hasn't had time. They turned out so cute! I put three in a frame and they are precious! Little newborn baby parts, nothing better than that!

It is raining and cold. It makes me want to stay home and sit in a blanket and embroider! I hope that someday I will want to start tackling my own photo pile. I have such wonderful pictures of my children, they all need to be in frames and books in my home!

Better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today!

I'm a Lucky, Lucky Girl!

I am such a lucky girl! My sweetie brought me a dozen roses for my birthday!!! They are so so beautiful. Even better than the roses was the card inside them! We are going to San Diego this weekend, just the two of us!!!! Yeah! I was so surprised. It will be so wonderful to get away with my sweet hubby. He is so good to me, he puts up with me and my craziness. He deals with our family and our insane schedules and hardly ever grumbles. What more could a girl want?(other than thin thighs and buns)